After going over…

… the reasons why planning could be helpful in the spring semester, we would like to introduce some tools to help you achieve that.

First, Take half an hour over the weekend to plan the week ahead. Use your agenda (digital or paper) to jot down all the appointments for this week to have an overview and to not miss any deadlines.

Second, write down all the tasks you would like to get done in this week in a short list.

Third, allocate these tasks to days and time slots so that you do not have to think or worry about them anymore.

Fourth, schedule time for relaxation, socializing, and for your hobbies.

This might sound simple but you would be surprised with how these small steps could bring you a long way in having an overview over the semester.

Don’t forget to reward yourself when you are done for the day!

Simply brilliant …

… that’s all I can say and a big thank you. I have just received the first test print of the new program flyer from UniPrint. Now it’s on my desk. Next week it will be available in many places on campus. Take a look at the new program. We look forward to seeing you.

on my desk: the first proof of the new flyer for the summer semester program

How real …

… can you physically hold a digital edition in your hand? That may depend on the point of view or the definition. But, just in time for the weekend, the latest csp is now available online. So perhaps a good idea to start some German exercises or test your favorite automatic translator:

http://dx.doi.org/10.25819/ubsi/10488

And these are the topics of issue 21/2024

  • Jana Fingerhut, Larissa Klemme, Luisa Kunze, Eric Thode: Wie der Strukturwandel die Nachfrage nach Beschäftigten und Kompetenzen am Arbeitsmarkt verändert [How structural change is altering the demand for employees and skills on the labor market]
  • Jonas Breetzke, Prof. Dr. Carla Bohndick: Ist mein Studium relevant? Wie Studierende den beruflichen und gesellschaftlichen Wert ihres Studiums wahrnehmen und wie Hochschulen ihn steigern können. [Are my studies relevant? How students perceive the professional and social value of their studies and how universities can increase it.]
  • Dr. Emilia Kmiotek-Meier, Lena Hoffmann, Dr. Carlo Klauth: Welche Kompetenzen brauchen Akademiker*innen, um auf dem Arbeitsmarkt erfolgreich zu sein? [What skills do academics need to be successful on the job market?]
  • Carmen M. Thiel: „Wir brauchen Visionen, neue Konzepte und Veränderungen, um die Zukunft der Musikhochschulen positiv gestalten zu können.“ [„We need visions, new concepts and changes in order to positively shape the future of conservatoires.“]
  • Prof. Dr. Uwe P. Kanning: Wie finde ich einen Arbeitsplatz, der zu mir passt? Professionelles Auftreten in unprofessionellen Auswahlverfahren. [How do I find a job that suits me? Professional performance in unprofessional selection procedures.]

The classic print version on paper will go into the post on Monday.

We wish you many interesting German reading experiences.

Hurry up, …

… always be quick. We live in an age where performance and speed are crucial. Do your work quickly so that people recognize that you are valuable to the company. Speed can be both a blessing and a curse in many areas.

„Hurry up, always do it quickyl“ – But:

  • I take the time that is good for the cause and good for me.
  • It can also be fun.
  • When I slow down, my decisions and results improve.
  • When I slow down, I live more consciously.
Volleyball team Net People
Volleyball is a fast sport. During long rallies, you quickly become hectic and out of breath. A high ball helps to slow down the game and find your breath again.

Of course they are in German …

… the articles in the new edition of the career service papers (csp). It will be published next Monday. On my desk a sample version, lacking the glue that keeps the pages together. If you want to have the digital version in advance please send an e-mail to marcellus.menke@uni-siegen.de with the subject line: “csp 2024 in advance digital”. Of course you easily can have the articles translated by an automatic translator of your choice, just to make things easier and give you a first access. And if you take part in our program „German in a Nutshell“, you can also try reading the German text. After all, that’s the original. Hope you enjoy the new csp.

Still loose sheets, but the contents are already complete: csp 21/2024 the first (advance) copy lying on my desk.

Planning can be intimidating…

…but knowing the tools to planning could help make the process easier, and eventually a habit. In the next biweekly post, we will discuss the essential tools a student needs to start planning. But first, we have to understand why planning is important. Here are four reasons for you to seriously consider planning in the spring semester.

First, Planning Gives direction. A clearly defined goal helps to steer you in the right direction when many inputs cloud your thinking, a concisely laid out, preferably written, goal would help ground you when you are feeling lost. For example: I want to graduate in two years, then I need to take X number of exams every semester to reach this goal.

Second, planning saves time. Much of the micro tasks which need to be done on a day to day basis could be forgotten if they are not written down, and sometimes they are what you need to do to reach your goal. Planning time for these tasks daily would ensure you never forget them.

Third, planning ensures you have enough time to relax. When your daily scheduled study sessions are over, the rest of the day is yours to relax or pursue personal projects.

Fourth, planning creates accountability which could be motivating to stick to your schedule the next day.

It is important to know that creating the habit of planning needs time. So be patient with yourself and stay tuned for our planning tools post on 29.02!

Always be …

… strong, show no weaknesses.Generally speaking, many young men will have heard this phrase in one form or another. But is there anything wrong with showing weakness? Aren’t we in the process of breaking stereotypical ways of thinking?

„Always be strong, don’t show weaknesses“ – But:

  • Weaknesses make you human.
  • Feelings make you human and likeable.
  • Only when others see you as you really are do you appear approachable and honest.
  • Only when you show your weaknesses will you receive help and not be alone.
  • I am allowed to „put myself out there“ for others.
  • I don’t have to achieve and accomplish everything to be worth something.
Star Wars Darth Vader lightsaber costume
Unlike the Jedi, who must always control their emotions, the Sith are guided by them. It’s okay to show weakness sometimes, as long as you don’t want to subjugate the whole galaxy.

Slowing down…

… is sometimes the best decision you can make when you are overwhelmed with tasks. When your To-do list gets long, it is sometimes difficult to focus solely on the next small step. But that is how progress could start. One small step after the other guarantees that you reach your desired destination. It could be that you need longer, or that you are faster than you had planned. Although that could be disappointing or frustrating sometimes, it helps to accept that this was what you were capable of at that given time. The mindset of an ongoing rushed competition could be very harmful for some people, it could backfire and make that small step feel like a leap. So take things at your own pace and create deadlines that are suitable for you. 

Sometimes the unclear path is the one with prettiest jounrey.

Please…

… everyone. Is that possible or even necessary? In all probability not.

„Please everyone“ – But:

  • I can only be healthy in the long term if I also please myself.
  • It’s impossible to please everyone.
  • I’m okay even if someone is unhappy with me.
  • Not everyone has to or can like me.
  • I’m allowed to offend sometimes.
Table Poster Water Sweets Career Service
Are you studying because you want to or because your family, friends or society want you to? Yesterday we were at the open day for students in doubt.

A new …

… look at the inner driver. We all know them. Phrases that come up in everyday life and consciously or unconsciously put us under pressure. We probably even heard many of them as children. Permission sentences help you to take the harmful edge off your inner drivers.

„Always be perfect“ – But:

  • Nobody can be perfect.
  • Usually 80% is enough.
  • I can also make mistakes and that’s okay.
  • I take care of my health, which is more important than a 100% result.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll remind you of a few sentences that I’m sure we’ve all heard before. Let’s break down these punchy sentences together.

trees sky blue water bank flood
The Rhine has also offered a new view in recent days.